[stinkerbellsmom]

OK, let me start off by saying that I am not in anyway trying to "beat the system" here, but trying to be smart and save some money. We will be in Disney November 25-30 and I received the pin for free dining with a check in date up until Nov 23 and then starting again with a check in date of Nov 28. So, the only way I thought to do this was as a spilt reservation, paying for the dining for the first portion of the trip. But I forgot that I would need seperate park tickets for EACH reservation. So everyone in my party needed a 2 day ticket and then a 3 day ticket, which is insanely expensive. The total for the trip would have been over $3300 (without airfare of course).
BUT is it possible to book my trip with a arrival date of Nov 23 (even though we won't physically arrive till the 25th, i will still check in online prior). Then I can have free dining the entire trip and just have get everyone a 5-day ticket. I mean, i'm sure these types of things happen at time, with missed flights etc, and people don't always arrive on their actual arrival day, no? Anyone have any experience with this?
By the way, if I do it this way, the trip is only $2650.

__________________

Lanyards are hidden hidden. Turn them on in your options

SEPT 1989- Contemporary (as a kid)

MARCH 2000- AS Sports(Manhattan College Lax)

AUG 2007- AS Sports (first time as mom)

OCT 2008- AS Sports (Cassie's B-day & MNSSHP)

SEPT 2009- POP Century (4 Generations!)

NOV 2010- PO Riverside (Thanksgiving/MVMCP)

JAN 2012- POP CENTURY (Craig's Birthday)

My Countdown

Counting down to: Deierlein Disney Winter Vacation
Finally....we're in DISNEY and celebrating Dad's Birthday!

[Team Disney]

A co worker of mine did this last year however it was only a one day difference. She called the hotel the day of check in and told them to please hold the room as she would be coming but her travel was delayed and she wold not be in until the next morning. Like your situation, she did this to be eligible for free dining.
I don't know how long Disney will hold a room... perhaps you could call and ask.
GL

[daleswife]

I am not sure how long they will hold a room either. I know if you check in on the 23rd, you will get the dining plan for the entire time you are there. I got that same pin. I dont get to go this year, but am going next year the week of Thanksgiving and am hoping for one then....Like Team Disney, Id call and see how long they would hold a room.....

[stinkerbellsmom]

Ok, we are all booked!!! So, it was ultimately over $250 cheaper to book for the 23rd (and have free dining for 7 nights worth of credits) than to book for 25th and have to pay 5 nights of dining plan! DH and DS6 are going to fly out Tuesday morning to check in and we (me, DD4, DS2, DMIL) will meet them there Thursday morning...lucky boys get 2 extra Disney days (they are going to do Disney Quest one day, which neither of them have ever done before and it will be easier without the little ones there who are too short for almost everything is Disney Quest)!! But since only DH and DS6 are using dining those first 2 days, we are able to bank the rest of our table credits that we won't be using the first 2 nights. I already made an ADR for dinner @ Cinderella's Castle Saturday night...which we have never done because I have never wanted to use 2 table credits...oh, and did i mention this entire trip is a surprise for the kids!! I'm so excited I don't know how I'm going to keep it a secret for the next 4 months!! Thank goodness I have you guys to share my excitement with...lol :-)
So here's my deets:
Nov23-Nov30
Port Orleans Riverside
FREE Dining
MVMCP Nov28
made all the ADR's, but in a rush so i will post later!

[Team Disney]

Yay! SO glad you made it work! SOunds like an excellent plan!!

[Mickey Crazy]

Congrats! I can't wait to hear a trip report.

[Dismom]

So glad it worked out for you, sure will have lots of fun with those extra meal credits and still saving too!

[Winkster]

Sounds great - and good plan to do Disney Quest before you arrive too (plus it means you still get to do all the really good stuff!).

Disney Quest is easy to get to via the POR boat service as well - it's a great way to get to DTD.